The Akwa Ibom State Government and the Federal Government have commenced the enumeration of FarmerMoni beneficiaries and training of Local Government Area Desk Officers to expand farmers’ access to financial support and strengthen food security.
The initiative, implemented through the National Social Investment Programme Agency, NSIPA, under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, GEEP, targets smallholder farmers and seeks to improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods at the grassroots.
At the flag-off ceremony held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in Uyo, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga, said the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the agricultural revolution component of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.
Ibanga said FarmerMoni provides an opportunity to extend financial support to farmers in remote communities, including persons with disabilities who are often underserved by conventional financial interventions.
She stressed that supporting farmers was essential to protecting livelihoods, increasing agricultural production and safeguarding household welfare.
In a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, commended the Federal Government for the initiative and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to collaborating on social investment programmes that improve the welfare of residents.
Umanah described FarmerMoni as a timely intervention for smallholder farmers, noting that previous support initiatives had helped some beneficiaries improve their yields and farming activities.
He said the programme complements the agricultural revolution pillar of the ARISE Agenda, which prioritises food security, affordability, accessibility and sustainable agricultural production.
The Information Commissioner urged stakeholders to ensure that farmers receive adequate information and that the intervention reaches its intended beneficiaries.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, assured that her ministry would continue collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure successful implementation.
She commended Ibanga for facilitating access to the programme and urged beneficiaries to utilise any funds received judiciously for their intended agricultural purposes.
Offor disclosed that the intervention would be implemented in phases.
Earlier, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of GEEP, Mr. Akanimo Effiong, said the exercise demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting farmers, strengthening rural livelihoods and improving the economic well-being of Nigerians.
He explained that GEEP provides financial support to petty traders, market women, artisans and smallholder farmers through targeted interventions.
Effiong said FarmerMoni would help grassroots farmers improve their agricultural activities, increase productivity and contribute to national development.
The Permanent Secretary for Human Capital Development and State Statistician-General, Mr. Uduak Isaac, said the enumeration and training exercise would strengthen coordination and facilitate programme delivery across Akwa Ibom’s 31 local government areas.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Programme Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Development Programme, Mr. Emmanuel Ekanem, and the Chairlady of the All Farmers Association, Mrs. Philomena Bassey.
A major highlight of the exercise was the distribution of iPads and portable power banks to local government desk officers to support beneficiary enumeration.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the two levels of government to expand economic opportunities, strengthen agricultural production and improve the welfare of vulnerable and low-income households.
Other dignitaries present included the General Manager of the Bulk Purchase Agency, Hon. Unyime Etim; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Eno Akpan; and the Governor’s Personal Assistant on Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Ubong Ikpe.
